The Battle of Okinawa

The Battle of Okinawa

The biggest and last fierce battle in history! 90 days of turbulence that burned green and life!

1971 · 149 min · ★ 7.8 · War, History

The Americans are swiftly closing on Okinawa, an island just south of the Japanese mainland. The Imperial command sends top generals and several army divisions to defend it at all costs. The mission quickly degenerates as vital resources and troops are diverted to other islands. After a civilian evacuation ends in tragedy most of non-combatants are forced to remain on the island. Many convert to soldier status. Tokyo sends mixed messages that squander time and resources, as when they order the defenders to build an airstrip for aircraft that never come. The truth soon becomes obvious: the high command decides that the island cannot be held and effectively abandons the Okinawan defenders. When the Americans land many troops are deployed in the wrong places. As the slaughter mounts, a suicidal attitude takes hold. Okinawa becomes a death trap, for civilian volunteers and non-combatants as well.

Directed by Kihachi Okamoto · Written by Kaneto Shindō

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Cast

Keiju Kobayashi General Ushijima
Tetsuro Tamba Lieutenant General Isamu Cho
Tatsuya Nakadai Colonel Hiromichi Yahara
Yūsuke Kawazu Naomichi Jin
Ichirō Nakatani Chief of Staff Ueno
Ryō Ikebe Rear Admiral Ota
Shigeru Kōyama Akira Shimada
Kunie Tanaka Barber Higa
Eijirō Tōno Yoshijirō Umezu
Jun Hamamura Shuki Izumi
Akira Yamanouchi Shūichi Miyazaki
Jūkei Fujioka Sanada

Make it a double feature

4h 31m together

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The Sword of Doom

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